Hey guys it's Rice Man here and I just wanted to say sorry for the late filler since I said I'd upload it sometime before or during Christmas day but my freaking sister asked for the laptop and now she doesn't want to give it back because she's a worry wart. Anyway, here is the filler I wanted to put up so think of this as another late Christmas gift to you, my loyal and awesome readers. This filler episode is my interpretation of episode 480 in Shippuden. Also let's try to break 500 faves and follows :). And the readers that have asked me how Mako looks like just look at the cover art for this fic.
Filler chapter: The Girl From The Woods
-Konohagakure no Sato, 14 years ago-
It's a sunny late morning in Konoha's shopping district where all the famous restaurants of the village were. The crowd consisted of various people from adults, elderly, and children of the new generation walking about. One person stood up from the crowd. He was a child about five years old with spiky, blonde hair, bright, blue eyes and whisker-like birthmarks. He was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt over a green long-sleeved shirt. Had brown shorts and blue ninja sandals.
This child is Naruto Uzumaki, the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, the most powerful of the tailed-beasts.
It was an average day for the orphaned blonde boy as he walked throughout the village trying to find a place that would give him food. Right now he was casually walking with his hands in his pockets looking down at the ground with a sad look in his eyes.
As he continued walking a ball rolled up to him and gently touched his feet. Looking in the direction from where the ball came Naruto smiled and bent down to pick the ball up. It was rare to see the sad, orphaned boy smiling. He grabs the ball and looks at another child in front of him who he knew the ball belonged too.
''Hey! Can I play with you?'' Asked the blonde boy.
Before the other child could give their answer a grown-up who Naruto assumed to be the girl's mother stepped in front of her with her arm held protectively in front of the girl.
''Stay away from my daughter you demon.'' The woman said with great disgust in her voice before kneeling down so she was face-to-face with her daughter. ''Honey, don't play with that thing okay? Let's go home.'' She then took her daughter's hand and dragged her away from Naruto.
Naruto, hearing the mean words the woman said to him sighed and dropped the ball and looked all around him. Just like before, he saw that they were all looking at him with angry and disgusted faces. He looked at each and everyone of them before walking off knowing that these people did not want him there.
Naruto continued walking until he heard someone shout in joy.
''Oh man! This ramen is great!'' A voice shouted out.
Naruto looked in the direction from where the voice came and saw a single person sitting in a ramen stand and he heard the person voraciously slurp up the delicious noodles. He then looks upward and reads the sign to the place that read; ''Ichiraku Ramen''
The blonde boy then reaches into the pocket of his shorts and takes out money. Over 500 Ryu left in his mailbox from an unknown sender. Naruto knew the people in this village didn't like him, but he always wondered who was sending him money everyday and he would receive over 500 Ryu per day.
Naruto looked at the money for second before turning his gaze to the ramen stand. Hearing his stomach growl he decided to head out into the woods to catch his own meal since the ramen owner was most likely not going to give him food. He then dashes towards the village's main gate and as he did that he ran past a boy his age with shoulder-length brown hair who had a senbon in his mouth.
The boy with the senbon in his mouth watched Naruto run by him and looked at him with curiosity. ''What a strange boy.'' The revealed five-year old Genma said to himself.
As Genma watched Naruto disappear into the crowd he overheard several Chunin talking behind him.
''Hey man, did you hear the rumors?'' One of the Chunin asked.
''Yeah, I heard that Minato-sama and Lady Kushina died because of that thing. We might as well kill it before it is unleashed again.'' Another said in pure rage.
Genma winced at how cruel these two Chunin were being. ''What did that boy even do to make these guys talk so bad about him?'' Thinking nothing more of it, Genma then continues walking the other way back home.
-Forests outside of Konoha-
''I can do it, I can do it!" Naruto thought as he continued to leap from rock to rock in the forests outside of the village. He hops over the rocks with great skill before taking several pebbles and chucks them at wooden targets he had set up throughout the forest.
With excellent precision he manages to hit the targets' bull's-eyes much to his delight. Taking his last rock he hurls it with enough power that he actually broke the target he was aiming at completely in half.
He then halts his hopping by landing on a tree branch to catch his breath. Wiping the sweat off his forehead Naruto looks at the broken target and smiles in joy at his accomplishment.
Just then, he hears something crack from underneath him. It was too late as Naruto lets out a cry as he tumbles to the ground with a hard thud.
Rubbing his sore butt Naruto looks up and spots something that makes him sport what would become his signature grin. All around him he saw some apple trees, some trees with peaches on them and several edible mushroom sprouting from the ground.
''Wow! So much food!'' Exclaimed the happy blonde boy as he gets up to pick the fruits and mushrooms.
After gathering the peaches, apples, and mushrooms Naruto is now seen sitting by the stream with an improvised fishing pole in hand. He hums happily to himself and soon he feels something give a tug. The sudden feeling of jerking forward prompted Naruto to give a mighty tug and after struggling for a few seconds manages to pull in his catch. Four freshly caught catfish on a hook he had made himself that had multiple points on it.
''Oh wow this is awesome! Four fish in one catch I'm having a feast tonight!'' Naruto said happily as he scoops the fish up.
The boy then heads off into the forest just as the sun begins to set to enjoy his dinner.
Later that evening..
After getting a fire started and placing his fruits and mushrooms in a small bowl he found as well as placing his fish over the fire Naruto is now seen enjoying one of his cooked catfishes. It was the first time had cooked his own meal so it made sense for the boy to bite vigorously into his fish early to taste his very own cooking. Just before he takes another bite a figure appears as if from nowhere next to him and sniffs his catfish.
The sound of someone sniffing his food made him jump back in surprise.
''What the?!'' Naruto screamed in surprise as he held his hand over his rapidly beating heart. After his heart slowed down he looked at the stranger. ''Who..who are you?''
The person was a girl, about thirteen years old. She had long, untamed raven-black colored hair that fell past her shoulders with long, parted bangs that framed both sides of her face with a medium-length one in between her eyes. She dawned a black, short-sleeved T-shirt, gray shorts with fishnet tights, had a kunai holster strapped to her left leg and a wakizashi on the other and wore a Konoha bandanna around her head. Lastly her eyes were black. Simply put, she was very pretty.
The two stared at each other and almost on cue they both tilted their heads, the girl to her right and Naruto tilting his head to the left.
The girl continued to stare at Naruto before smiling tenderly at him which was something no one had ever given him. ''Who am I? I'm just some random girl who happens to be passing through.'' She said before looking at the fire where Naruto's other fish and fruits were cooking. She then turned her gaze back to Naruto and the two stared each other in the eyes once more for a few minutes before the girl's stomach gave out an amazingly loud growl.
The girl blushed at the sound of her stomach growling before Naruto began to laugh. The black-haired girl then began to laugh with Naruto and the blonde boy took a fish roasting atop the fire and handed it to the girl.
''Here you go, have some of this fish I caught.'' The blonde boy said giving the girl a tender smile of his own.
Seeing the fish in front of her, the girl gives Naruto another gentle smile. ''Oh, thank you.'' She then takes it from the blonde boy and inspects it. ''It looks really tasty.''
''Of course it's gonna be tasty ya know? I caught it and cooked it!" The blonde declared confidently.
The girl raises her eyebrow at Naruto and smirks at him.''Is that so? Alright let me give it a taste then.'' The girl then takes a bite out of the fish as Naruto watches on. ''Ooh, hot! so hot!"
The two of them would shares meals, stories, and laugh together for the next few hours as the night went on.
After finishing the fish the two of them were now sitting by the fire admiring the beautiful night sky and the quiet scenery of the lush forest.
''So what did you do today? Before you came out here far away from the village?'' The girl asked.
Naruto's first response was a long sigh and rested his head on his knees. Seeing the sad look in his face the girl decided to speak for him.
''Let me guess, you woke up, showered, went for a walk across the whole village looking for another boy or girl your age to play with but their parents wouldn't let their kid play with you. Then you tried to find a place that would give you food. Am I right or am I right?'' The girl inquired.
Naruto lifted his head up and looked at the girl as if she was crazy. ''What the, how did you know that?''
The girl smiled at him warmly. ''I know everything, I know your name, you're Naruto Uzumaki. You don't know this but I've known you since the day you were born, actually more like before you were born.''
''Then you must know why those people always give me mean looks or whisper bad things about me whenever they see me.'' Naruto said and the girl nods in response.
''I do know why, but I'm afraid you won't find out for a long time Naruto. Just let me say this to you. Don't ever let any mean thing those people say about you get you down you understand me? They say those hateful things for one reason and that is you are a good kid with a bright future ahead of you, but most of all, they're jealous because you're a hero but they don't see how you are. I watched you in the forest earlier practicing throwing rocks at targets and your skills at hopping from tree branch to tree branch is some of the best I've seen and you're quite a nimble kid. To me that shows you are a dedicated and hard working person Naruto. Whenever you see these people talk bad about you just use what they say as something to push you forward to your goal. Prove those villagers wrong. Show them that you're not a horrible person and win over their acknowledgement.''
Naruto smiled at the girl's words of kindness and encouragement which like the smile she gave him earlier was something he had never seen anyone give him. Then his smile turned into a frown. ''But, I have a question.''
''Hm? What would it be Naruto?'' Asked the girl.
''Why are you acting so nice to me? I mean look at me, they say I'm a monster.'' Naruto said almost crying.
The girl gave out a giggle. ''Never mind what they say. Do you know what I see Naruto?'' She then reaches for the boy and goes to poke his eyes and Naruto immediately closed them in response just as her fingers made contact with him.
''I see two eyes like mine.'' She then playfully pinches his nose.
''A nose.''
She then moves on to fiddle with his ears. ''And two ears and let's see...what else?''
Naruto looked at his hands and held them in front of the girl to show them to her. ''Two hands?''
''Yep, that's right.'' Said the girl putting her palms against Naruto's. ''Now close your eyes Naruto and put your hand on your chest and tell me what you feel?''
Naruto did was he told and placed a palm on his chest and he felt a rhythmic thumping. ''My heart.''
''Come here.'' She takes Naruto's head and gently places it on her chest and Naruto listened intently to her beating heart.
Naruto giggled. ''Your heart.''
''See? We're exactly the same Naruto, we're all human but the villagers just can't see that.'' The girl then embraces Naruto and the two sit there in silence.
The blonde boy looked up into the sky too. The pitch black sky was lit save for a massive cluster of stars in the center of their view.
''It looks so nice. It's the first starry night I've seen in a few weeks.'' Said the boy.
The two of them stared in amazement at the night sky for a brief moment in silence until the girl spoke up.
''You know Naruto, the world is such a big place and even though everyone in the village seem the hate you, don't worry about that because there are a few people at home who do love you. You'll get to meet them someday. Like I said earlier, I am one of them and it's been that way since before you were born. The group of stars in the sky right now can symbolize everyone who hate you in the village. Think of it this way, in this group of stars, or people let's say there will be one person who will cherish you and love you as well as protect you from the bad people, say for example that bigger star in the middle, that's me. I love you the most compared to the others.'' The girl said pointing into the sky.
''Are you sure? Everywhere I go, people always look at me in a very mean way. It's kind of like they want to hurt me badly.'' The boy said, then he remembered that the girl said she loves him. ''Wait, you said you are someone loves me. How much do I mean to you?'' He asked.
The girl simply smiled and leaned in and gave Naruto a small kiss on his forehead which caught the boy by surprise. The feeling of her lips on his forehead made him blush from how soft they were.
Pulling her head back she then smiled tenderly at him and poked him on the chest. ''Does that answer your question?''
Naruto was still blushing and it appeared he was in a daze at being kissed by such a pretty girl.
''What's wrong Naruto? You're all red in the face? Do you have a fever?'' The girl asked pretending she didn't know why he was blushing like mad but in reality she knew why.
''You're really pretty.'' Naruto said in a dreamy tone, still blushing like crazy.
The girl giggled at the boy's compliment. ''Oh Naruto, you're so cute you know that? Judging by the blushing let me guess, do you..have a crush on me?'' She asked in a teasing tone.
''W-what?! What are you talking about I have no crush! Haha..'' Naruto said with his hands held up defensively in front of him.
Seeing his shyness and nervousness she smiles tenderly at the boy and grabs his nose in between her index and middle finger. ''Aw, does wittle Nawuto have a cwush on me?'' She cooed playfully to the boy.
Naruto was reduced to a stuttering blushing mess as the girl continued to pinch his nose and the next thing she did to him was grab both his cheeks and pulled and push them in playfully making the boy groan.
''Aaaagh, stop it!'' He said.
''You'll have to make me stop Naruto.'' The girl then took her hands and began to tickle Naruto as hard as she could on his sides.
''Oh gosh, stop that tickles! I'm very ticklish!" The boy got out between laughs.
The mystery girl wouldn't listen to Naruto and instead increased her efforts in tickling the blonde boy to the point where he was laughing hysterically. Naruto then decided to try and counter-attack against the girl's onslaught and he reached his own hands out and began to poke the girl on the sides and to his success the girl jerked while at the same time stopped her tickling onslaught.
''Oh, you found my weakness Naruto, I'm quite ticklish too.'' The girl said and Naruto pounced on her and began to tickle her as hard as she tickled him.
''Hey stop tickling me! Agh!'' Naruto cried out as the girl was merciless in her assault.
''How does that feel Naruto? Try to tickle me I'll tickle you back twice as hard!'' Declared the girl as she applied more force onto his sides to the point where Naruto was laughing uncontrollably.
After tickling Naruto for a good ten minutes, the girl decided that the blonde boy had enough and she stops her attack. She then hears Naruto yawn and looks to see the boy rub his eyes showing that he was sleepy.
''Oh, is someone sleepy?'' The girl asked teasingly.
''Y-yeah. Can you take me home?'' Naruto asked and he got a nod in response.
''Of course I'll take you home.'' The girl then uses a minor water jutsu to put the campfire out and picks up the boy and she walks through the woods headed back to the village to put the boy to bed.
-Naruto's Apartment-
After walking for over half an hour back to the village our mystery girl opens the door to Naruto's apartment and walks in and heading into the bedroom she gently sets the boy down on his bed and to her surprise he was still awake.
''You're still awake Naruto? I thought you fell asleep considering that you were quiet the whole time.'' Said the girl.
''Hey.'' The boy called out.
''Yes? What is it Naruto?''
Sitting up, the blonde boy blushed and began twiddling his fingers. ''Uh..um..what's your name?''
The girl just let out a giggle. ''You'll find out one day Naruto, if you remember me about nine years from now that is.'' She said pinching his cheek.
''What? So..I'll never ever see you again? I like being around you because you're my first friend!" The boy shouted.
''Naruto, I'l always be watching okay? If you ever feel like someone is with you when you're alone just know that it's me okay? I'll see you next time dobe.'' The girl said and before she left the room she gave Naruto a good night kiss on his cheek making the boy blush redder than Kushina's hair.
Despite the feeling of possibly never seeing this girl again Naruto's signature foxy grin framed his face. ''Alright then, if we ever meet again I'll be the best ninja you'd ever seen!'' Declared the boy in a very confident tone.
''Oh I bet you will.'' The girl giggled.
Exiting the room the girl walks out of his apartment and once she walks outside she is greeted by two males.
''So, how's he doing Mako-chan?'' The revealed Shisui Uchiha questioned.
''Yeah! I want to know how the son of Minato-sensei is doing but you never let any of your friends in on the fun! He needs big brother Kenji in his life! I would try to get Kakashi in on this but that one-eyed jerk doesn't give a crap! Hell, Rin wants to spend time with Naruto too Mako!'' The boy next to Shisui, being Kenji Kasugano yelled.
''Sshhhh!" Mako placed a hand on Kenji's mouth but her best friend continued to try and speak albeit muffled. ''Quiet Kenji. Honestly I could care less of what Kakashi does or thinks but I understand Rin and her desire to play with Naruto.''
Kenji just groaned in annoyance and moved Mako's hand away from his mouth. ''Fine fine, now tell us Mako, how's the little man doing?''
''Firstly, Minato-sensei and Kushina-sensei wanted me to be the one watching over Naruto after he came out of the womb and since this is coming from them, I need to honor their request by myself. Secondly, he's doing just fine. I had a late night dinner with him in the woods outside of the village and he was training himself.''
''Hm, sounds like a swell time. So who does he take after?'' Shisui asked.
''Quite obviously he takes after his dad appearance-wise but I can see Kushina-sensei's face and personality.'' Mako answered. She turns around and takes out 500 Ryo and places it in Naruto's mailbox. ''Alright, now that he's in bed I guess we should all head home.''
''Oh yeah, if my parents ever found out I was hanging out this late at night they'd kill me, especially my mom since she was trained by a member of the Seven Swordsman of the Hidden Mist. So smell ya later.'' Kenji bid his fellow Chunin farewell before hopping across the rooftops.
''So, that explains why she was so psychotic sometimes..'' Shisui said watching Kenji leave before turning his attention to Mako. ''Shall we head home?'' He asked holding out his hand.
Mako smiles at him and accepts his offer. ''Of course Shisui-kun, we got a long day tomorrow with helping at the academy.'' Mako said and the two Uchiha then head back home to the Uchiha compound hand in hand as we see Mako rest her head on Shisui's shoulder.